SOCCER
N Korea hold Socceroos
Australia and North Korea shared the spoils 1-1 on Wednesday night at Hong Kong Stadium in their East Asian Cup qualifying match. Archie Thompson opened the scoring for the Socceroos in the fifth minute, but An Yong-hak equalized for North Korea in the 64th. The draw leaves North Korea top of the five-team group and favorites to qualify for the finals next year in South Korea alongside the hosts, China and Japan. North Korea lead the group with seven points after three games, three more than Australia who have played two, but more importantly with a far superior goal-difference then their nearest challengers. In today’s 5:50pm kickoff, the Socceroos take on bottom side Guam, while at 8:30pm fourth-placed Taiwan face third-placed Hong Kong.
HOCKEY
Pakistan beat Germany
Shakeel Abassi scored goals in the 39th and 51st minutes to give Pakistan a 2-1 win over Olympic gold medalists Germany in yesterday’s quarter-final of the men’s hockey Champions Trophy. Moritz Furste had given the rebuilding London Games champions a 1-0 lead in the ninth minute. Pakistan are to play London silver medalists the Netherlands in a semi-final tomorrow. The Dutch beat New Zealand 2-0 yesterday. India were to play Belgium and four-time defending champions Australia were scheduled to take on England in later matches yesterday to determine the other semi-finalists. The final is scheduled for Sunday.
BASEBALL
Star takes US$4.4m pay cut
Japanese baseball star Michihiro Ogasawara has been handed a US$4.4 million pay cut, smashing the previous salary-slashing record of just over half that amount. Ogasawara had been on a two-year deal with the top-ranking Yomiuri Giants worth ¥430 million (US$5.21 million) per season, the joint-highest pay check in the league. However, after a dismal few months in the infield, during which he was twice relegated to the club’s farm team after suffering injuries, Ogasawara declared himself happy with a meager ¥70 million. “I am all determined to work hard next season. It’s like starting from zero,” 39-year-old Ogasawara told Japanese media. He played in 34 games for the Giants this year, his fewest since his rookie season in 1997, batting .152 and scoring four runs-batted-in with no home-run.
CYCLING
David George gets ban
Lance Armstrong’s former US Postal Service teammate David George has been banned for two years for doping. The South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport says George did not attend a hearing where his ban was decided. He admitted using the blood-booster EPO last month after failing an out-of-competition test. George rode on Armstrong’s team in 1999 and 2000. Armstrong was banned for life and stripped of his seven Tour de France titles for doping.
UNITED STATES
Sports fans can sue
A federal judge on Wednesday allowed sports fans to pursue a lawsuit accusing Major League Baseball, the National Hockey League and various networks of antitrust violations in how they package games for broadcast on TV or the Internet. US District Judge Shira Scheindlin in Manhattan said the subscribers could pursue claims that the packaging has reduced competition, raised prices and kept them from watching their favorite teams located outside their home markets.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely